PINCH MY SALT

Professional surfing is facing serious questions after sexual assault allegations involving World Surf League (WSL) surfer Alan Cleland Jr. In this episode of the Pinch My Salt Podcast, pro surfer Sterling Spencer and Cousin Ryan discuss the allegations, Alan Cleland Jr.'s reported suspension, surf industry accountability, the culture surrounding professional surfing, and the responsibility of major surf brands, sponsors, photographers, and the WSL to protect young surfers.

Could this become a turning point for professional surfing? From the World Surf League and Championship Tour to the North Shore of Hawaii, surf sponsorships, and the darker side of surf culture, we're talking about issues that reach far beyond competitive surfing.

But that's not all. Sterling and Ryan also recap surviving a devastating Florida hurricane, scoring incredible hurricane surf in the Gulf of Mexico, and the chaos of life without electricity. Plus, Pinch My Clips returns with Kelly Slater's forgotten surfing era, Mick Fanning's acting skills, Mason Ho, Dane Reynolds, John John Florence, wave pools, surfboard design, and the never-ending debate over what makes someone a REAL surfer.

It's surf news, surf culture, pro surfing stories, ridiculous commentary, and serious conversations you won't hear anywhere else.

🌊 IN THIS EPISODE:

🏄 The Alan Cleland Jr. Allegations — A serious conversation about allegations involving the professional surfer, the WSL's response, accountability in surfing, and protecting young athletes.

🌪️ Surviving the Florida Hurricane — Sterling and Ryan share their wild experiences during the storm, the destruction around Pensacola and Gulf Breeze, and the incredible hurricane swell that followed.

🎥 Pinch My Clips — Viral surfing clips, unbelievable airs, Mick Fanning, Mason Ho, Kelly Slater, bodyboarding, skimboarding, and the weirdest corners of the internet.

🏆 Is the WSL Challenger Series Broken? — Why are young professional surfers spending so much money traveling the world to compete?

🌊 Kelly Slater's Forgotten Era — Revisiting one of the strangest chapters in the 11-time world champion's surfing career.

👟 Are Surfers Becoming Posers? — Dane Reynolds, Vans skate shoes, surf fashion, and why Sterling thinks surf culture has lost some of its identity.

🏄‍♂️ The Perfect Surfboard Quiver — Twin fins, fish surfboards, mid-lengths, thrusters, and giant 12-foot gliders. What boards does a real surfer actually need?

🤙 Remembering Larry Bertlemann — Celebrating a Hawaiian surfing legend and the classic surfing style that influenced generations.

🌊 Wave Pools vs. Real Surfing — Has progressive surfing become more like skateboarding than riding waves?

👇 JOIN THE CONVERSATION

What's your take on the current state of professional surfing? What needs to change to make the surf industry safer for the next generation?

Leave a comment, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who loves surfing.

You know da rulez.

#PinchMySalt #Surfing #SurfPodcast
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Surfing legend Benji Weatherley joins Sterling Spencer and Cousin Ryan on the Pinch My Salt Podcast for one of our wildest episodes yet. From Kelly Slater and the Momentum Generation to Blink-182, Tom Curren, Shane Dorian, and the legendary lost surf movie Pickled, Benji tells unbelievable stories from the golden era of professional surfing.Known for his unforgettable appearances in Taylor Steele surf films, his friendship with Kelly Slater, inspiring Blink-182's hit song "Mutt," and his role in surf culture classics like Drive Thru, Benji Weatherley helped shape the personality of 1990s and early 2000s surfing.In this hilarious and completely unfiltered surf podcast, Benji talks about Kelly Slater stealing girlfriends, the rise of the Momentum Generation, the hidden story behind Billabong's Pickled surf movie, his wild surf trips with Tom Curren, and why the WSL dropped him from a Drive Thru project.We also dive into professional surfing, the surf industry, surf sponsorships, Jack Johnson, Donovan Frankenreiter, Kalani Robb, Joel Parkinson, and what life was really like behind the scenes during surfing's most iconic era.THIS WEEK ON PINCH MY SALT:🏄 Kelly Slater Stories — Benji talks about growing up around Kelly Slater, their friendship, rivalries, and the hilarious stories that never made it into the surf magazines.🎬 The Lost Surf Film PICKLED — What really happened to Benji Weatherley's legendary Billabong surf movie? Benji reveals the outrageous St. Barts trips, Tom Curren stories, the massive budget, and why the film nearly disappeared.🎸 Blink-182 and "Mutt" — Benji explains his famous nickname, his connection to Blink-182, and how he became part of punk rock and surf culture history.🌊 The Momentum Generation — Growing up alongside Kelly Slater, Shane Dorian, Rob Machado, and the surfers who transformed professional surfing forever.🍻 Life as a Sponsored Pro Surfer — From Billabong and Bud Light to endless East Coast surf tours, Benji reveals what being a professional freesurfer was really like.🚫 Benji vs. the WSL — Benji shares his side of the story about getting removed from a Drive Thru project after a controversial Zoom meeting.😂 The Funniest Guy in Surfing? — Benji goes completely off the rails, roasts the hosts, and proves why he's one of surfing's most unforgettable personalities.If you grew up watching Taylor Steele movies, following the Momentum Generation, listening to Blink-182, reading SURFER Magazine, or watching Drive Thru, this episode is for you.Pinch My Salt is a comedy surf podcast hosted by professional surfer Sterling Spencer and Cousin Ryan. We talk surfing, surf culture, professional surfers, surf industry drama, nostalgia, music, and everything ridiculous about life.SUBSCRIBE for new episodes, legendary surfing guests, behind-the-scenes surf stories, and completely unnecessary conversations.Drop a comment: What's your favorite Benji Weatherley moment, and have you ever seen the lost surf movie Pickled?#BenjiWeatherley #KellySlater #PinchMySalt #Surfing #SurfPodcast
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Did Surfline, surf cams and modern surf forecasting ruin surfing? Sterling Spencer and Cousin Ryan break down what’s changed about surf culture, why Surfline cameras may have killed part of the mystery of finding waves, the loss of old-school surf knowledge, soft top surfers, crowded lineups, Magicseaweed, local surf culture, surf forecasting, waterman skills and the difference between people who surf and people who actually live surfing.

This episode of Pinch My Salt goes deep into modern surfing vs old-school surf culture — plus Kelly Slater, John John Florence, Dane Reynolds, Joel Parkinson, Herbie Fletcher, Mason Ho, Pipeline, Backdoor, J-Bay, Tavarua Fiji, Lowers, twin fins, foil surfing, surf contests, surf clips, surf style and some of the most legendary eras in professional surfing.

Sterling explains how surfers used to learn weather patterns, wind direction, swell, tides and even the smell and sound of the ocean instead of opening a surf cam and waiting for Surfline to turn green. Has instant access to surf reports made surfing better — or created an entire generation of “cam surfers”?

We also get into vintage Kelly Slater vs John John Florence, Joel Parkinson’s legendary style, Herbie Fletcher, old-school surf videos, twin fins after retirement, Dane Reynolds, foil boards, soft tops, surf influencers, crowded lineups and whether anything in surfing can still feel secret.

And because it’s Pinch My Salt, somehow we also end up talking about Lana Del Rey, IQ tests, neurofeedback, narcissism, getting older, marriage, golf vs surfing, disc golf, Aaron Rodgers, happiness, helping other people and whether surfers eventually become golfers.

If you love surfing podcasts, surf history, professional surfing, surf culture, funny podcasts, surf commentary, Kelly Slater, John John Florence, Dane Reynolds, Pipeline, Hawaii surfing, surfboard design, surf forecasting, surf clips or arguments about what’s wrong with modern surfing — welcome to Pinch My Salt.

COMMENT BELOW: If you could delete ONE thing from modern surfing, what would it be?

Surf cams?
Soft tops?
Foil boards?
Surf influencers?
Surf contests in bad waves?
Or the guy who says, “It was better yesterday”?

Subscribe to Pinch My Salt with Sterling Spencer and Cousin Ryan for weekly surfing, comedy, surf news, pro surfing stories, surf history and completely unnecessary arguments about the greatest sport in the world.

#Surfing #SurfPodcast #PinchMySalt #KellySlater #JohnJohnFlorence #DaneReynolds #Surfline #SurfCulture #ProSurfing #SurfPodcast
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Dane Reynolds is on the hot seat as Sterling Spencer and Cousin Ryan break down Dane Reynolds, Kelly Slater, Jack Johnson, the modern surf industry, WSL surf culture, pro surfing, surf history, Shakas, sandals, flip-flops, and what happened to the culture of surfing. Is Dane Reynolds responsible for changing what was “cool” in surfing? Did the surf industry abandon its Hawaiian roots? And is Kelly Slater officially surfing like Kelly Slater again?

This episode of the Pinch My Salt surf podcast dives deep into surf culture, professional surfing, surf industry trends, Kelly Slater surfing at Lowers, Dane Reynolds still shredding, Rob Machado, Reef, Hawaiian surf culture, modern surf brands, Gen Z surfers, women’s surfing, Erin Brooks, Gabriela Bryan, surfing style, surf progression, WSL competition, Lower Trestles, river surfing, surf etiquette, surf wipeouts, and the difference between old-school surfing and today’s surf scene.

Sterling and Ryan also get into Jack Johnson, the “100th Monkey” theory, the origins of skateboarding and surf-skate culture, Jack Johnson’s dad possibly building one of the earliest skateboards, Cousin Ryan’s trip to Ireland, surfing Lahinch, Irish surf culture, giant waves near the Cliffs of Moher, turning 40, surf travel, stem cell treatment, brain injury recovery, spirituality, modern gurus, social media, Tim Tebow and the Life Surge controversy, and plenty of completely unnecessary Pinch My Salt observations along the way.

The big question: Did surfing lose part of its identity when surfers stopped wanting to look like surfers?

Sterling tells the story of a time when Dane Reynolds was one of the biggest cultural influences in surfing—and how Dane’s dislike of Shakas, sandals and traditional surfer style may have helped push an entire generation toward a different image. That leads to a bigger conversation about Rob Machado, Reef, California surf culture, Hawaiian surf culture, surf fashion, professional surfers starting brands, and why the surf industry may have lost touch with the people who simply love surfing.

PLUS:

🏄 Kelly Slater surfing Lowers and looking locked in again
🤙 Dane Reynolds vs. the Shaka
🩴 The death—and return—of sandals and surf culture
🌊 Why old-school surf culture felt different
🔥 The progression of women’s professional surfing
🏄‍♀️ Erin Brooks and the new generation of female surfers
🎸 Jack Johnson and the 100th Monkey theory
🛹 Who actually invented the skateboard?

If you grew up watching Kelly Slater, Dane Reynolds, Rob Machado, Shane Dorian, Laird Hamilton, Jack Johnson, Gabriel Medina, Griffin Colapinto or the golden era of surf videos and surf magazines—or you follow the WSL, professional surfing, surf podcasts, surf news and modern surf culture—this episode is for you.

Drop a comment: Are sandals and Shakas essential to surf culture—or is Dane Reynolds right?

SUBSCRIBE to Pinch My Salt for weekly surf stories, surf news, surfing commentary, surf industry conversations, professional surfer stories, comedy, interviews and the weirdest corners of surf culture.

#DaneReynolds #KellySlater #Surfing #SurfPodcast #SurfCulture #PinchMySalt #WSL #JackJohnson #RobMachado #ProSurfing #SurfNews #SterlingSpencer

KEYWORDS:
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This week on Pinch My Salt, pro surfer Sterling Spencer and Cousin Ryan dive into surfing, surf culture, professional surfing, WSL, Kelly Slater, John John Florence, Jordy Smith, Jamie O’Brien, Gabriel Medina, Filipe Toledo, Jack Johnson, Tom Curren, Taj Burrow, Dane Reynolds, surf history, surf clips, surf movies, surf training, longboarding, skimboarding, surf coaching, barrels, airs, carves, big-wave surfing, Pipeline, Hawaii surfing, surf contests, surf style, and the greatest surfers of all time.

The boys break down the Kelly Slater vs. John John Florence GOAT debate, ask whether Jordy Smith belongs on surfing’s Mount Rushmore, talk about how world titles affect a surfer’s legacy, and debate whether modern surf coaching is hurting originality and natural surf style. There’s also Jamie O’Brien trolling a surf school, Gabriel Medina clips, Filipe Toledo longboarding, Kelly Slater grappling, old-school Hawaii surf footage, crazy skimboarding, surf training fails, barrels, wipeouts, surf skating, and some of the strangest surf clips on the internet.

And because this is Pinch My Salt, the conversation eventually takes a hard turn into one of Sterling’s greatest discoveries: how an average-looking guy can date a girl completely out of his league.

Sterling unveils his extremely scientific formula involving pasta, an ocean walk, dark chocolate, confidence, cleanliness, and somehow… baby powder.

Sterling and Ryan also get into dating above your pay grade, getting ghosted, Gen Z dating, the dreaded “ick,” relationships, marriage, glow-ups, and what happens after you actually get the girl.

Along the way, the boys ask the important questions:

Can Kelly Slater shoot a basketball?

Is Chris Hemsworth one of the most famous surfers on Earth?

Is Jamie O’Brien still core?

Does winning a world title automatically make you one of the greatest surfers ever?

Could Jordy Smith be underrated in the GOAT conversation?

Who surfs better overall: Kelly Slater or John John Florence?

And can doing a 360 actually impress a girl?

After recent conversations with Jack Johnson, Gabby Reece and Jordy Smith, the surf debate keeps getting bigger. The boys compare Kelly Slater, John John Florence, Tom Curren, Jordy Smith, Taj Burrow, Dane Reynolds and more while trying to figure out who actually deserves to be called the greatest surfer of all time.

If you love surfing podcasts, surf comedy, surf culture, professional surfing, WSL, surf news, surf history, surf movies, surf clips, Pipeline, Hawaii surfing, surf legends, Kelly Slater, John John Florence, Jordy Smith, Jamie O’Brien, Jack Johnson, Dane Reynolds, Gabriel Medina, Filipe Toledo, funny podcasts, comedy podcasts and completely unnecessary surfing debates, you found your people.

Welcome to Pinch My Salt with Sterling Spencer and Cousin Ryan.

Subscribe and let us know in the comments:

Who is the greatest surfer of all time?

And if you’ve got one…

What’s your secret for dating above your pay grade?

You know the rules. 🤙
#PinchMySalt #Surfing #SurfPodcast #SterlingSpencer #KellySlater
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